Re: (TFT) Re: TFT Digest V3 #637

[Peter von Kleinsmid <pvk@oz.net>]

At 03:36 PM 12/5/04 -0500, Sethkimmel@aol.com wrote:
> In a message dated 12/5/04 6:08:23 AM !!!First Boot!!!,
> tft-owner@brainiac.com writes:
>
> > I agree an officer should be cleared to draw and
> > point his weapon at a swordsman, but if the swordsman doesn't advance, the
> > officer shouldn't shoot him... unless you're saying, and are correct, that
> > he really can't afford to let someone inside 21 feet, even if he's already
> > got his gun levelled at him.
> >
> Yeah; that's what patrol supervisor's (Sgt's. and Lt.'s) are for; to control
> and investigate these situations. I don't know about the West coast, but the
> investigation for an officer involved shooting in NY is quite involved. I 
> must
> admit however if I were the investigating patrol supervisor and the bad guy
> had a sword, I'd tend believe the officer who shot said knucklehead. 
> He/she just
> has to be able to justify "was in immediate fear for my life or a third
> party's life" to me.

Sure. I did a little investigating, and haven't found much to support my
hasty statement about the Seattle Police vs. Swords. I expect it was more
the fault of the local news' way of reporting the incident, which tends to
be sensationalist and hyper in ways that can get everyone worked up until
they realize it's the stupid reporting that is the main issue.

PvK
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